GROUPS THREATEN TO SUE FOR MORE WILD STEELHEAD PROTECTION IN LOWER COLUMBIA

Several fish conservation groups from Oregon have issued a "60-day" letter notifying the states and NOAA Fisheries they will take legal action unless changes are made in the lower Columbia gillnet fishery to better protect ESA-listed wild steelhead. The groups are worried that this year's season will be a repeat of last year when gillnetters exceeded the incidental take permit on wild steelhead, the limit established under the ESA that protects them. "We have talked about it for three years and it is time to take action," said Jason Miner, conservation director for Oregon Trout, whose group announced the potential lawsuit, along with Washington Trout, and the Native Fish Society.